Hose protector



C. S. KIDD HOSE PROTECTOR A ril 13, 1954 Filed May 31, 1952 INVENTOR CLARA S. Kl DD ATTORNEY l atented Apr. 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOSE PROTECTOR Clara S. Kidd, Kansas City, Mo. Application May 31, 1952, Serial No. 291,021

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to hosiery, and more particularly to an article to be worn on the toe portions of the feet.

The object of the invention is to provide an article that is adapted to be worn on the toe portion of the foot, the article of the present invention adapted to be worn with or without hose, and wherein, where the device is worn with hose, the length or life of the hose will be greatly prolonged and hole formations in the hose will be prevented.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an article which can be made in dilferent sizes, and which will offer protection for the wearers toes, the article of the present invention being of such a size that it will not show when pumps are being worn.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an article of hosiery which fits securely with or without hose, the article of the present invention adapted to be worn with any type of footwear, such as sandals, the article also serving to hold cotton or pads securely in place on the toes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article which in one form of the invention includes a webbed, flexible body member that is adapted to fit over the toe portion of the foot, there being a webbed strip extending along the bottom of the foot and into the body member.

A further object of the invention is to provide an article which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a, part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view showing the article of the present invention in place on the toe portion of a stockinged foot or leg;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the article, with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the modified body member;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a webbed strip.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral Ill designates a portion of a ladys stocking which may be fabricated of the usual material, such as silk or nylon. The stocking I is conventional and includes a heel portion II, a foot portion l2, and aleg portion l3.

The present invention is directed to hose protector which is indicated generally by the numeral M. The hose protector I4 is made of any suitable material, such as a webbed or knitted, flexible material, and the device I4 is shaped to define a body member by means of a line of stitching I5 and stitches It. If desired, the body member l4 may be made by properly sewing together a portion of a discarded stocking. The body member It may be made of a double thickness of material, the two thicknesses being indicated by the numerals l1 and I8, Figure 2. This double thickness of material provides reinforcement and serves to insure that the member will have a long life. Also, it will be seen that one end of the body member I4 is open, so that the article can be readily slipped over the toe portion of the foot, while the other end of the body member it is closed. The portion of the body member i4 adjacent the open end thereof is indicated by the numeral I 9, and it will be seen that this portion is straight or of uniform width to help prevent the body member I 4 from accidentally slipping ofi of the toe portion of the foot.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown a modified body member which is indicated by the numeral 20. The body member 20 is shown made of flexible webbed or knitted material made by securing ends along lines of stitching 2i and 22. An end 23 of the body member 20 is open, while the opposite end of the body member 26 is closed. The open end 23 permits the body member 20 to be readily inserted over the toe portion of the wearers foot.

For use with the body member 20, a strip 24 which is elongated is provided. The strip 24 may also be made of a flexible or knitted type of material and may be made by joining together similar pieces by means of a line of stitching 25. End portions 26 of the strip 24 converge inwardly, and one end of the strip 24 is adapted to be projected or inserted into the body member 20. The strip 24 is adapted to be extended along the bottom of the foot of the wearer, so as to help protect the bottom of the hosiery and also provide comfort for the wearer.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that an article has been provided which is especially suitable for protecting hose, such as hosiery worn by ladies. The smooth portion I9 of the body member l4 helps to insure that the body member I4 does not accidentally slip ofi the foot while it is being worn. Also, the double thicknesses l1 and I8 reinforce the body member and the body member can be worn with or without hose.

when the body member H! or the body member 20 is being worn with hose, holes in the toes of the hose will be eliminated and the life of the hose will be prolonged. Also, the toes will be protected. The body members may be provided with finished hems and the body members can be made of various sizes. Also, the articles will not show above pumps and may fit securely with or without hose. They fit securely when open sandals without hose are being used, and the articles also help to hold cotton or pads securely in place on the toe.

What is claimed is:

A hose protector comprising a hollow bulletshaped body composed of double thickness knitted hosiery material, the base of said body being open and adapted to fit over the ball portion of a foot so that the toes are covered by the nose portion of said body, and an elongated flat textile member having tapered ends, said member being adapted to be beneath the sole of the foot of a. wearer, with a tapered end extending into the nose portion of said body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

